Detail of Joanne Sullivan-Gessler sculpture of Phar Lap produced in 2009 in Bronze - photo Roselyn Fauth 2026
"This memorial tells the story of the legendary Phar Lap ridden by Jim Pike depicting his enormous 27ft stride on a map of New Zealand with his weight bearing hoof firmly on his birthplace of Timaru, the saddle blanket flaps up revealing the enormously heavy weights that he was handicapped to carry. Jim Pike always rode with a whip in his left hand but never once raised it. The style of riding in those days was distinctive. Riding long, with no goggles for eye protection. The water feature tells of his voyages across the seas. A ring of red roses surrounds the statue, a symbol of great champions and the love bestowed upon Phar Lap. Warmly known as “Big Red” the spirit of Phar Lap lives on in this tribute to a great legend. It was Phar Lap’s mesmerizing achievements that brought hope as he lifted the spirits of nations during the “Great Depression.”
